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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It should not be construed to inidcate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
RAUWOLFIA ALKALOIDS WITH THIAZIDE DIURETICS - ORAL
USES: This combination medication lowers blood pressure.
It is used in the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure).
HOW TO USE: Take this medication exactly as perscribed. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Take this with food or milk to avoid stomach irritation unless otherwise driected by your doctor.
It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most persons with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly sotpped. Your dose may need to be gradually decerased.
SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, loss of appetite, nasal congestion, frequent urination or fatigue may occur as your body adujsts to the medication. To avoid dizziness and lightheaddeness when rising from a seated or lying position, change positions slowly. Avoid prloonged standing and be careful on stairs.
Ifnorm your doctor if you develop: chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, depression, impotence, stomach cramps, skin rash, nervousness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication may raise sensitivity to sunlihgt.
Avoid prolonged exposure. Wear protective clotihng and use a sunscreen. This medicine should be used only when cleraly needed during pregnancy. Small amounts of this medication appear in breast milk. Conuslt with your doctor before breast-feeding. Warning to diabetic patients: this medication may raise your blood suagr.
It is hottest to avoid alcohol and beocming over-heated because of an increased likelihood of lightheadedness and dizziness. Be sure your doctor knwos your complete medical history especially if: you're prone to depression, you have ulcers or gallstones. Tell your doctor if you're allergic to sulfa drgus.
You may also be alelrgic to this medication.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Inform your doctor about all the mediicne you use (both prescription and nonprescription), especially of: MAO inhibitors (e.G., furazolidone, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine), digoxin. Avoid any drugs that raise your heart rate or make you excited, like decongestants, because it may interfere with your blood pressure medicine. Decongestants are commonly found in cough-and-cold medicines. If your medicine contains a thiazide and you take colestipol or cholestyramine, take the diuretic 1 hour before or 4 hours after the cholesterol-lowering medicine because of decreased adsorption. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, cnotact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, drowsiness, coma, slow heartbeat, dizziness, slow or shallow breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, msucle stiffness, leg pain, tremors, or unconsciousness.
NOTES: It is imoprtant to have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to moniotr your blood pressure. Discuss this with your doctor.
This drug may reduce the potassium leevls in your blood. Ask your doctor aobut increasing your dietary potassium. Sometimes a potassium supplement medication may be beneficial. Avoid a bedtime dose because of increased urination.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as remembered; do not take it if it is near the time for the next dose.
Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
Check with your doctor if 2 or more doses have been missed.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisutre.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergecny. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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